Where Do Bass Go After They Spawn? (And How To Catch Them)

Its really easy once someone explains it! Post Spawn bass don't just disappear, they follow a very consistent pattern as they transition to Summer haunts. Today Matt walks us through each step as the fish shift from spawning to recuperating, and from traveling back to feeding. Post spawn is notoriously difficult because many anglers are unclear about how the fish move from April to June but its about to get a whole lot easier!

We've already discussed "Where Bass Go In Spring", post spawn is the exact same story run in reverse, but with a twist. After the fish spawn they'll move to the first ledge or point along their transition route. Here they will sit for a week or two to recuperate before feeding again. This is often the time when anglers feel lost and begin to panic about where the fish have gone. As soon as this period ends, the fish make a split. Half of the bass follow the remainder of the route out to deep outside or offshore structures and the other half push back in to the shallows.

The fish that turn shallow are the most fun because you're able to power fish them (flipping, punching, and frogging) but the fish that head offshore school up into mega schools and offer a whole different kind of excitement! It doesn't matter which direction you go, you're going to have a great time targeting either group of bass.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and tackle we're using to target these fish throughout the transition process and beyond.

Frog…

- Bully Wa 2 Frog: http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

(Little Allen, Ghost, Snipe)

Punching/Flippin’…

-Sweet Beaver: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

(Tramp Stamp, Delicious, Hematoma)

-1 oz Tungsten Weight: http://bit.ly/2bHj2pB

-Gamakatsu 4/0 Superline Hook: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

-Peg X Bobber Stopper: http://bit.ly/2bHjowk

Offshore or Ledge Fish...

-Norman DD-22 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2LKB37w

(Glimmer Shad, Smokey Joe, Blue/Chart)

-Strike King 6XD Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

(Clear water minnow, sexy shad, Sexy Ghost Minnow)

-Strike King 10XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

(Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Green Gizzard Shad)

-Dirty Jigs Pitchin' Jig: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

-Zoom Trick Worm: http://bit.ly/2aWkG7E

(Junebug, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Magic)

-Strike King Fat Baby Finesse Worm: http://bit.ly/2aKei5y

(Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red, Blue Fleck)

Matt's Crankbait Combo...

Rod- Zodias 7'6" Med Heavy Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Curado 150 DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

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How To Catch GIANT Bass **Day on the Water**

Watch and learn as Tim breaks off a MONSTER bass then turns around and catches her again! Spring is prime time to catch these huge fish and Tim shows exactly how it can be done. He uses a combination of swimbaits and sight fishing to coax a bunch of really nice fish into biting including the 8+ lber. Its hard to keep your focus when a big one comes off but Tim shows first hand that keeping your cool can pay big dividends!

Tim is on Clearlake for a day of big bass fishing. He's invited us along to take part as he searches high and low for the right fish. Pay close attention as he chooses different baits to catch the fish and also to the colors he decides to use. As he's explained in the past, no two bedfish are the same so its important to have a variety of baits at your disposal.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and tackle Tim used in the video.

Main setup...

Bait- Megabass dark sleeper 1/2oz - mutsugorou color: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Rod- Dobyns Fury 7'3" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX 150: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- 65lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 20 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Senko Setup...

Bait- 6" senko (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Rod- G Loomis GLX 894: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Metanium DC XG: http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Jig setup...

Bait- Dirty jigs 1/2 Matt Herren flippin jig (Alabama craw): http://bit.ly/2Pq97JC

Trailer- Strike king rage tail chunk (green pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2Hd4MFA

Rod- Zodias 7'2" medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Curado 70 HG: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

TrD Craw setup...

Hook- Owner blockhead 1/4oz: http://bit.ly/2qL0A8n

Bait- TRD Crawz (green pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Rod- Dobyns Fury 703: http://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Reel- Daiwa Fuego: http://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ

How To Catch Your New PB Bass Before Summer

Its not too late! You've got one more shot at MONSTER bass before Summer arrives. Matt explains what the bass are doing as they transition, how to get ahead of them, and the best presentations to catch them. Whether you're already fishing the post spawn in the South or your lakes are just opening up in the North, this information will help you catch a bigger bass this Spring!

Catching a monster bass can happen at any time, but catching them consistently requires commitment. You have to start thinking differently when you're on the water, no longer focusing on "going fishing" and instead focusing on the fish's movements and feeding habits so you can predict their next move. If the bass in your area are still spawning, you have an awesome shot at a new Personal Best bass this Spring but if that door has already closed, all hope is not lost!

Matt explains that after the fish spawn there is one more shot to specifically target the biggest fish. They'll move off to recuperate but as soon as they're done (typically no more than 2 weeks) they'll feed aggressively one more time before heading into Summer. These fish can be targeted with a swimbait on virtually any fishery. Its not the way to catch numbers of bass but if you're ready to break your PB, the biggest bass of your life could be waiting for you on your next trip to the lake.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and tackle Matt recommends for this Style of Spring and post spawn fishing.

Spawning Bass Baits...

-Imakatsu Javallon Gill: http://bit.ly/2IvM1jj

-Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill: http://bit.ly/2FsZhA3

-Dirty Jigs Pitching Jig: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

(Canterbury Craw, Molting Craw, Go To)

-Sweet Beaver (Green Pumpkin Red Flake): http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

Glidebaits and Swimbaits...

-S-Waver 168 and 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

(Bluegill, Light Trout, Rainbow Trout)

-Keitech 6.8 Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

(Light Hitch, Copperfield, Sexy Shad)

-Osprey Inline Talon Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2laKeWD

(Bluegill, Light Hitch, TW Shad)

Wakebaits and Topwater...

-Megabass MegaDog: http://bit.ly/2VIYoMH

-Spro BBZ 8" Floater: http://bit.ly/2cU1x5P

-Bucca's Bull Shad Wakebait: http://bit.ly/2yceVRt

Matt's Favorite Swimbait Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

Reel-- Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 80 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 35 lb Sunline FC100 Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

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Did You Know You Can Do This With Your Lake Map?

Want to catch more fish? Understanding the map of your lake makes it a lot easier! If you're using modern electronics there are some amazing tricks that make it even better. Today Tim shows how to highlight depth zones, adjust lake levels, and select prime fishing locations. If you're using a traditional paper lake map this information still applies. Spend less time searching and more time catching with these quick adjustments!

Tim begins by showing the difference between base map software and aftermarket mapping chips. He goes on to assume you're using some version of a map card in order to get accurate contour lines. Tim uses his Humminbird Solix to show a variety of structures and how they appear on the map then goes on to teach the subtle differences that will save you a ton of searching and fishing time!

If you want to become a more efficient angler you need to get comfortable reading a map of your lake. You don't need an expensive unit and software to be a great angler, you can get by with a simple paper map, but good electronics make it much, much easier. Below is a breakdown of the unit and cards Tim was using in the video as well as a few other options he recommends at various price points.

Main Unit- Humminbird Solix 15: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

Map Card- Humminbird Lakemaster Plus: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Other Map Cards...

-Humminbird Lakemaster: http://bit.ly/2wAZ8ZJ

-Navionics HotMaps Platinum: http://bit.ly/2ZitTiR

Other Units...

-Humminbird Helix 7: http://bit.ly/2SoFl8a

-Lowrance HDS 7 Live: http://bit.ly/2VYomMA

-Garmin Striker Plus: http://bit.ly/2skseug

Keeping your electronics screen clean is really important. The best product we've found to do that is Wave Away. It cleans finger prints and water spots with very little effort instead of scrubbing at the screen until your hands hurt.

Wave Away Screen Cleaner: http://bit.ly/2PhHmmC

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Need Apparel? Tacticalbassin Gear is in stock! Get your hats, hoodies, and sunshirts by emailing Tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com